Tom Latham will become the 30th Blackcaps test captain after Kane Williamson was ruled out of the third test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Overall, New Zealand have made five changes to the team, which lost the Boxing Day test by 247 runs in Melbourne.
Williamson, Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner have all been ruled out due to illness, while Tim Southee has joined the injured Trent Boult on the sideline as well.
"It's been a tough 48 hours for us" said Latham. "We've had a virus which has gone through the team which is unfortunate.
"Kane [Williamson] and Henry [Nicholls] are down and Mitch [Santner] is down. They gave their best this morning to be right but obviously they're not right."
Jeet Raval replaces Williamson, batting at number three, while Glenn Phillips - who only arrived in Sydney last night - will make his test debut at number five, in place of Nicholls.
Phillips, 23, averages 42.54 in first-class cricket from 23 matches, with a high score of 138 not out.
Spinners Todd Astle and Will Somerville, along with Matt Henry come into the bowling attack for Santner Southee and Boult.
Meanwhile Australia, who won the toss and opted to bat, have named an unchanged lineup from their Boxing Day test win.
Blackcaps: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Jeet Raval, Ross Taylor, Glenn Phillips, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Will Somerville, Matt Henry, Neil Wagner.
Join us for live updates of the third test between the Blackcaps and Australia, starting January 3
